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Abstract:

Managing energy capacity in an electric vehicle based on a driver
profile. This is achieved by various means, including interactively
determining a travel plan with a user, calculating a total travel
distance for the travel plan, determining how far the electric vehicle
can travel based on its current energy level, and creating an energy
replenishment plan based on the travel plan, the total travel distance,
how far the vehicle can currently travel, and the driver profile.

Claims:

1. A method of managing energy capacity in a vehicle, comprising:
generating, interactively with the user, a current travel plan, wherein
the current travel plan includes one or more waypoints, and wherein the
current travel plan is generated based on historical data relating to
previous trips made by the user; calculating a travel distance for the
current travel plan, wherein the travel distance is a total distance to
travel to each of the one or more waypoints in the current travel plan;
determining a maximum distance the vehicle can travel based on a current
energy level of the vehicle; and if the travel distance is greater than
the maximum distance, creating an energy replenishment plan including one
or more refueling waypoints, based on the current travel plan and a user
profile that includes one or more preferences of the user for particular
refueling waypoints.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring a current
position of the vehicle; updating the current travel plan based on the
current position of the vehicle; and re-creating the energy replenishment
plan based on the updated current travel plan.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein monitoring the position of the vehicle
further comprises: receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of
Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites; and calculating the position
of the vehicle based on the plurality of signals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the travel plan further includes an
amount of time spent at each waypoint, and wherein creating the energy
replenishment plan further comprises: calculating a charging schedule for
the vehicle, wherein the charging schedule is based on the amount of time
spent at each waypoint and a listing of off-peak charging hours.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: if inadequate refueling
waypoints are available, prompting the user to modify the current travel
plan.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid electric
vehicle, and wherein determining a maximum distance the vehicle can
travel further comprises: determining a fuel distance the vehicle can
travel based on a current fuel level of the vehicle; determining an
energy distance the vehicle can travel based on a current battery level
of the vehicle; and determining the maximum distance the vehicle can
travel based on the fuel distance and the energy distance.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the vehicle is an electric vehicle with
a range extender module.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy replenishment plan is
further based on at least one of the following: i) the calculated travel
distance of the current travel plan, ii) an amount of time spent at each
waypoint, and iii) the maximum distance the vehicle can travel.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the historical data specifies one or
more waypoints previously visited by the user, and further comprising:
prior to generating the current travel plan, presenting an initial travel
plan to the user, wherein the initial travel plan includes a likely
intended usage of the vehicle derived from the historical data for the
user; and receiving a response from the user that confirms the initial
travel plan, wherein the initial travel plan is subsequently used as the
current travel plan.

10. A computer-readable medium containing a program which, when executed,
performs an operation, comprising: generating, interactively with the
user, a current travel plan, wherein the current travel plan includes one
or more waypoints, and wherein the current travel plan is generated based
on historical data relating to previous trips made by the user;
calculating a travel distance for the current travel plan, wherein the
travel distance is the total distance to travel to each of the one or
more waypoints in the current travel plan; determining a maximum distance
the vehicle can travel based on a current energy level of the vehicle;
and if the travel distance is greater than the maximum distance, creating
an energy replenishment plan including one or more refueling waypoints,
based on the current travel plan and a user profile that includes one or
more preferences of the user for particular refueling waypoints.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, the operation further
comprising: monitoring a current position of the vehicle; updating the
current travel plan based on the current position of the vehicle; and
re-creating the energy replenishment plan based on the updated current
travel plan.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein monitoring the
position of the vehicle further comprises: receiving a plurality of
signals from a plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites;
and calculating the position of the vehicle based on the plurality of
signals.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the travel plan
further includes an amount of time spent at each waypoint, and wherein
creating the energy replenishment plan further comprises: calculating a
charging schedule for the vehicle, wherein the charging schedule is based
on the amount of time spent at each waypoint and a listing of off-peak
charging hours.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, the operation further
comprising: if inadequate refueling waypoints are available, prompting
the user to modify the current travel plan.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the vehicle is a
hybrid electric vehicle, and wherein determining a maximum distance the
vehicle can travel further comprises: determining a fuel distance the
vehicle can travel based on a current fuel level of the vehicle;
determining an energy distance the vehicle can travel based on a current
battery level of the vehicle; and determining the maximum distance the
vehicle can travel based on the fuel distance and the energy distance.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the vehicle is an
electric vehicle with a range extender module.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the energy
replenishment plan is further based on at least one of the following: i)
the calculated travel distance of the current travel plan, ii) an amount
of time spent at each waypoint, and iii) the maximum distance the vehicle
can travel.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the historical data
specifies one or more waypoints previously visited by the user, and
further comprising: prior to generating the current travel plan,
presenting an initial travel plan to the user, wherein the initial travel
plan includes a likely intended usage of the vehicle derived from the
historical data for the user; and receiving a response from the user that
confirms the initial travel plan, wherein the initial travel plan is
subsequently used as the current travel plan.

19. A system, comprising: a computer processor; and a memory containing a
program that, when executed on the computer processor, performs a
operation for managing energy capacity in a vehicle, comprising:
generating, interactively with the user, a current travel plan, wherein
the current travel plan includes one or more waypoints, and wherein the
current travel plan is generated with reference to historical data
relating to previous trips made by the user; calculating a travel
distance based on the current travel plan, wherein the travel distance is
the total distance to travel to each of the one or more waypoints in the
current travel plan; determining a maximum distance the vehicle can
travel based on a current energy level of the vehicle; and if the travel
distance is greater than the maximum distance, creating an energy
replenishment plan including one or more refueling waypoints, based on
the current travel plan and a user profile that includes one or more
preferences of the user for particular refueling waypoints.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the program, when executed, further
performs the steps of: determining a fuel distance the vehicle can travel
based on a current fuel level of the vehicle; determining an energy
distance the vehicle can travel based on a current battery level of the
vehicle; and determining the maximum distance the vehicle can travel
based on the fuel distance and the energy distance.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the travel plan further includes an
amount of time spent at each waypoint, and wherein the program, when
executed, further performs the step of: calculating a charging schedule
for the vehicle, wherein the charging schedule is based on the amount of
time spent at each waypoint and a listing of off-peak charging hours.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] Embodiments of the invention are generally related to vehicle
navigation systems. And more specifically, embodiments are related to
techniques for creating an energy utilization plan based on a user's
travel plan.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] As global oil resources are limited, the current petroleum-based
transportation system cannot continue indefinitely, and thus the need for
alternative fuels and energy sources is apparent. Currently, a number of
petroleum-alternatives exist. One such alternative is electric vehicles,
which are capable of operating on battery power alone and with no fuel
whatsoever.

[0005] However, while petroleum-based vehicles can be refueled relatively
quickly, electric vehicles may take a substantial amount of time to
recharge their batteries. While it may take a matter of minutes for a
driver to refuel a petroleum-based vehicle, it may take several hours to
fully recharge an electric vehicle. Additionally, the infrastructure for
recharging electric vehicles is still developing and thus electric
recharging stations are not as common as, for example, petroleum
refueling stations. Thus, it can be difficult for a driver of an electric
vehicle to even find a recharging station, and then once he finds one,
the driver must still wait a substantial amount of time for the vehicle
to recharge.

[0006] A further limitation of electric vehicles is that their range is
currently limited compared to petroleum-based vehicles. Thus, if a driver
wishes to drive an electric vehicle over an extended distance, the driver
will have to recharge the vehicle more frequently. Because of this range
limitation, drivers may feel range anxiety when driving electric
vehicles. That is, drivers of electric vehicles may be uncertain that the
capacity of their battery is sufficient for their planned (or unplanned)
usage of the vehicle. For example, a driver may wish to stop at a grocery
store on his way home from work, but may be uncertain whether his
electric vehicle can travel the extra distance without recharging.
Furthermore, factors such as traffic and road closings may influence the
driver's travel time and make the driver more uncertain as to whether his
electric vehicle can complete the trip.

[0007] To combat this range limitation, drivers may opt to drive a hybrid
electric vehicle. A hybrid electric vehicle, as defined herein, is a
vehicle capable of operating exclusively on electric power for shorter
distances, and may use a fuel-based mechanism for travelling longer
distances. Alternatively, drivers of electric vehicles may use a range
extender module. The range extender is a pluggable component that allows
the electric vehicle to run on fuel (e.g., petroleum) for a limited
amount of time. In other words, the range extender module effectively
converts a fully electric vehicle into a hybrid electric vehicle.
However, even with a hybrid electric vehicle, it can be difficult for the
user to optimally manage his battery recharging, given the limitations
discussed above. For instance, if a user is very poor at managing his
battery power level, the hybrid electric vehicle will operate almost
entirely on liquid fuel, and thus gain none of the advantages of an
electric vehicle. Thus, even with a hybrid electric vehicle, drivers may
be insecure and inefficient with regard to maintaining the energy level
in their vehicle.

SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure generally provides techniques for managing
the energy capacity of a vehicle.

[0009] One embodiment of the invention provides a computer-implemented
method for managing the energy capacity of a vehicle, including:
generating, interactively with the user, a current travel plan, wherein
the current travel plan includes one or more waypoints, and wherein the
current travel plan is generated with reference to historical data
relating to previous trips made by the user; calculating a travel
distance based on the current travel plan, wherein the travel distance is
the total distance to travel, in the specified order, to each of the one
or more waypoints in the current travel plan; determining a maximum
distance the vehicle can travel based on a current energy level of the
vehicle; and if the travel distance is greater than the maximum distance,
creating an energy replenishment plan including one or more refueling
waypoints, based on the current travel plan and a user profile that
includes one or more preferences of the user for particular refueling
waypoints.

[0010] Another embodiment of the invention provides a computer-readable
storage medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an
operation. The operation includes: generating, interactively with the
user, a current travel plan, wherein the current travel plan includes one
or more waypoints, and wherein the current travel plan is generated with
reference to historical data relating to previous trips made by the user.
The operation further includes calculating a travel distance based on the
current travel plan, wherein the travel distance is the total distance to
travel, in the specified order, to each of the one or more waypoints in
the current travel plan. Additionally, the operation includes determining
a maximum distance the vehicle can travel based on a current energy level
of the vehicle; and if the travel distance is greater than the maximum
distance, creating an energy replenishment plan including one or more
refueling waypoints, based on the current travel plan and a user profile
that includes one or more preferences of the user for particular
refueling waypoints.

[0011] Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a system,
including: a computer processor; and a memory containing a program that,
when executed on the computer processor, is configured to perform an
operation for managing energy capacity in a vehicle. The operation
includes: generating, interactively with the user, a current travel plan,
wherein the current travel plan includes one or more waypoints, and
wherein the current travel plan is generated with reference to historical
data relating to previous trips made by the user. The operation further
includes calculating a travel distance based on the current travel plan,
wherein the travel distance is the total distance to travel, in the
specified order, to each of the one or more waypoints in the current
travel plan. Additionally, the operation includes determining a maximum
distance the vehicle can travel based on a current energy level of the
vehicle; and if the travel distance is greater than the maximum distance,
creating an energy replenishment plan including one or more refueling
waypoints, based on the current travel plan and a user profile that
includes one or more preferences of the user for particular refueling
waypoints.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained
and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of
embodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by
reference to the appended drawings.

[0013] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate
only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be
considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other
equally effective embodiments.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components of a computer system
contained in a vehicle and configured to run an energy plan component,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a block diagram components of a computer system contained
in a vehicle and configured to run an energy plan component, according to
one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a method of determining a travel plan for a driver,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a method of determining a travel plan for a driver,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a method of determining an energy replenishment plan to
complete a travel plan, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a method of determining a charging schedule to optimize
recharging of an electric vehicle, according to one embodiment of the
present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Embodiments of the invention generally provide techniques for
determining a driver's itinerary and creating an energy recharging plan
for the route. Currently, this task must be done manually by the driver.
This leads to both inefficiencies and inconvenience to the driver.
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of querying the driver to
determine a travel itinerary. Embodiments of the invention may then
create an energy-charging plan for the driver's planned travel itinerary,
based on a driver profile for the driver.

[0021] In one embodiment, an energy plan component may interactively
determine a travel plan for a driver of a vehicle. Once the plan has been
determined, the energy plan component may determine a current range of
the vehicle based on available energy and fuel sources. If the current
range of the vehicle is less than the distance needed to complete the
travel plan, the energy plan component may create an energy replenishment
plan that includes one or more recharging waypoints at which the user may
recharge the vehicle. The energy replenishment plan includes sufficient
waypoints so that, if the user recharges the vehicle at the specified
waypoints, the vehicle will have enough energy and/or fuel to complete
the travel itinerary. The energy plan component may then monitor the
user's position and, if the user changes course, the energy plan
component may update the energy replenishment plan to account for the new
route.

[0022] In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the
invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is not
limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of
the following features and elements, whether related to different
embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the
invention. Furthermore, although embodiments of the invention may achieve
advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the prior art,
whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment
is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the following aspects, features,
embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and are not considered
elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly
recited in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to "the invention" shall not
be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter
disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or
limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a
claim(s).

[0023] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the
present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program
product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form
of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment
(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an
embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally
be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore,
aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program
product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having
computer readable program code embodied thereon.

[0024] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be
utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal
medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage
medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,
optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,
or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific
examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium
would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory
(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only
memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc
read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage
device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of
this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible
medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection
with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0025] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data
signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example,
in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may
take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,
electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A
computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that
is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,
propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an
instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0026] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to
wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable
combination of the foregoing.

[0027] Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of
the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more
programming languages, including an object oriented programming language
such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar
programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the
user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software
package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or
entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the
remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network
(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for
example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0028] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference
to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus
(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the
invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the
flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by
computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be
provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a
machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of
the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create
means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart
and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0029] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable
data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium
produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement
the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.

[0030] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices
to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,
other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer
implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the
computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for
implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components of
a computer system contained in a vehicle and configured to run an energy
plan component, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As
shown, the vehicle 100 includes a computer system 110. The computer
system 110 includes computer processor(s) 120, storage media 122, one or
more I/O devices 124, and system memory 126. Computer processor 120 may
be any processor capable of performing the functions described herein.
I/O devices 124 may represent a variety of input and output devices,
including keyboards, mice, visual displays, printers and so on.
Furthermore, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art,
any computer system capable of performing the functions described herein
may be used.

[0032] In the pictured embodiment, memory 126 contains an energy plan
component 128 and an operating system 130. Although memory 126 is shown
as a single entity, memory 126 may include one or more memory devices
having blocks of memory associated with physical addresses, such as
random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory or other
types of volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The operating system 130
may be any operating system capable of performing the functions described
herein. Thus, for example, memory 126 may comprise RAM 126 containing an
instance of a Linux® operating system 130 (Note: Linux is a trademark
of Linus Torvalds in the US, other countries, or both).

[0033] In one embodiment, the energy plan component 128 may determine a
travel plan, with a user in an electric vehicle. The energy plan
component 128 may base this determination, in whole or in part, on a
profile associated with the user. Once the travel plan has been
determined, the energy plan component 128 may determine a maximum travel
distance for the vehicle based on any available energy sources. In one
embodiment of the invention using a purely electric vehicle, a battery
may be the only available energy source. In another embodiment, a hybrid
electric vehicle may have both a battery and an amount of fuel available
as energy sources. Once the maximum travel distance has been calculated,
if the maximum travel distance is less than the distance of the travel
plan (i.e., if there is not enough energy and/or fuel to complete the
travel plan), the energy plan component 128 may calculate an energy
replenishment plan. The energy replenishment plan includes one or more
recharging waypoints for the user to recharge the vehicle at in order for
the vehicle to have enough energy to complete all the stops in the travel
plan.

[0034]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of components of a computer system
contained in a vehicle and configured to run an energy plan component,
according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the
vehicle 100 includes a computer system 110. The computer system 110
contains a network card 220, computer processor(s) 120, storage media
122, I/O devices 124 and memory 126. The memory 126 contains an energy
plan component 128, operating system 130, map data 222, a GPS application
224 and user profile(s) 226. The network card 220 may be used, for
instance, for updating the energy plan component 128, updating the map
data 222, or retrieving traffic information, accident information,
construction information, or weather conditions.

[0035] The map data 222 may include virtual representations of road maps,
as well as metadata describing the virtual maps. Example map data 222
includes data on roads, intersections, speed limits, traffic conditions
and construction work. The user profiles 226 may contain information
about various drivers of the vehicle 100. For example, a user profile 226
for a particular driver may include historical data that includes
previous travel plans for the driver, and/or user preference data such as
preferred routes travelled by the driver and recharging preferences for
the driver.

[0036] The vehicle 100 also contains speaker(s) 236, a microphone 234, a
speech recognizer 238 and a speech synthesizer 240. The energy plan
component 128 may use these components 234, 236, 238 and 240 to
communicate with the user. In one embodiment, the energy plan component
128 may receive a user command through the microphone 234. The energy
plan component 128 may then analyze the command using the speech
recognizer 238 to determine what the user wishes to do. For example, the
user may communicate that he wishes to add a waypoint of "Home." The
energy plan component 128 may receive this communication via the
microphone 234, and use the speech recognizer 238 to determine that the
user wishes to make the user's home a waypoint in the current travel
plan. The energy plan component 128 may then formulate a response and use
the speech synthesizer 240 to render the response in a form
understandable by the user. The energy plan component 128 may communicate
this response to the user using the speakers 236. For example, the energy
plan component 128 may wish to acknowledge the user's command and tell
the user that the waypoint has been added to the travel plan. The energy
plan component 128 may generate a response using the speech synthesizer
240 stating "Waypoint home has been added", and communicate this message
to the user using the speakers 236.

[0037] Additionally, the vehicle 100 contains a GPS satellite link 232.
The GPS application 224 may process signals received by the GPS satellite
link 230 in order to calculate the current position of the vehicle. The
energy plan component 128 may then use the calculated current position,
in conjunction with the map data 222, in order to determine a total
travel distance for the travel plan. Furthermore, the energy plan
component 128 may use the calculated current position of the vehicle to
monitor the user's route, and if the user alters his route, the energy
plan component 128 may re-calculate the total travel distance based on
the user's new course. In addition, upon detecting that the user has
altered his route, the energy plan component 128 may update the actual
travel plan accordingly. For example, if the energy plan component 128
detects that the user has changed course, the energy plan component 128
may prompt the user (e.g., through the speakers 236 or display 124) as to
whether the user wishes to update the actual travel plan. The user may
then indicate (e.g., through the microphone 234) that he wants to make an
additional stop and thus wishes to add a waypoint to the actual travel
plan. The energy plan component 128 may then update the actual travel
plan accordingly.

[0038] The vehicle 100 also contains a battery sensor 228 and a liquid
fuel-level sensor 230. The battery sensor 228 may determine a current
charge level of a battery in the electric vehicle 100. Similarly, the
liquid fuel-level sensor 230 may determine a current level of liquid fuel
in the vehicle. Of course, embodiments of the invention intended for an
electric vehicle, or for any vehicle that does not consume liquid fuel,
may not include the liquid fuel-level sensor 230.

[0039] When a user enters the vehicle 100, the energy plan component 128
may create an initial travel plan based on the user profile 226 for the
user. The initial travel plan may include a set of waypoints that the
user is likely to travel to, which the energy plan component 128
determines by referencing the user profile 226 to see what destinations
the user has previously travelled to based on historical usage of the
vehicle for the time of day and day of week. The energy plan component
128 may then communicate the initial travel plan to the user by use of
the speakers 236. The energy plan component 128 may also use I/O devices
124, such as a display, to communicate the initial travel plan to the
user. After suggesting an initial travel plan to the user, the energy
plan component 128 may use the microphone 234 and speakers 236 in the
vehicle to interactively determine an actual travel plan with a user. For
instance, if a user wishes to delete a waypoint from the suggested
initial travel plan, the user may communicate this to the energy plan
component 128 via the microphone 234 to an automated speech recognizer
238 or via the display 124 (which may be a touch screen). Likewise, the
energy plan component 128 may then confirm the deletion of the waypoint
to the user through the vehicle speakers 236 using the speech synthesizer
240.

[0040]FIG. 3 is a method of determining an itinerary for a driver,
according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the
method 300 begins at step 320, where the energy plan component 128
formulates a mission hypothesis and creates an initial travel plan. The
energy plan component may create the initial travel plan based on
historical data saved in a user profile 226 for the driver. Furthermore,
in addition to the waypoints, the initial travel plan may contain an
ordering for the waypoints that indicates the order in which the
waypoints are travelled to. Additionally, the initial travel plan may
contain a time spent at each waypoint. For example, assume that every
Friday, Bob leaves work at 5:00 pm, then drives to the gym, stays for an
hour, and finally drives home. If Bob enters a vehicle equipped with
embodiments of the invention at 5:00 pm on a given Friday, the vehicle
may create an initial travel plan (at step 320) that contains the
waypoints "gym" and "home." The initial travel plan may include these
waypoints in the order of first "gym" and second "home." Furthermore, the
initial travel plan may include a duration of 60 minutes for the waypoint
"gym."

[0041] Once the initial travel plan has been determined, the energy plan
component 128 performs a mission confirmation dialog with the user (at
step 322). The energy plan component 128 may present the initial travel
plan to the user by telematically communicating the plan to the user. For
instance, the energy plan component 128 may, through the speakers 236,
prompt the user with the question "Are you planning to travel to the gym
and then return home?" In another embodiment, the energy plan component
128 may present the initial travel plan to the user by use of a display
device 124. If the user indicates that the travel plan is incorrect, the
energy plan component 128 may update the travel plan based on a dialog
with the user (at step 324). For example, in response to the above
question, the user may reply "No." A dialog, as shown in Table 1, may
then occur. Once the user has communicated all of his travel plans, the
energy plan component 128 may update the travel plan based on this dialog
and the user's responses. Once the travel plan has been created, the
energy plan component 128 may update the user profile 226 for the user to
reflect the user's current travel plans, as well as any preferences
specified by the user.

TABLE-US-00001
TABLE 1
Exemplary Travel Plan Dialog
Energy Plan Component: Are you planning additional stops or do you
have different plans today?
User: I have different plans today.
Energy Plan Component: What is your first destination?
User: South Beach.
Energy Plan Component: What is the next destination?
User: Miami airport.
Energy Plan Component: What is the next destination?
User: Home.
Energy Plan Component: So you are going to South Beach, then the
Miami Airport, then returning home?
User: Yes

[0042]FIG. 4 is a method of determining an itinerary for a driver and
building an energy replenishment plan to complete the itinerary,
according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the
method 400 begins at step 420, where the energy plan component 128
determines whether a previous travel plan is viable. The previous travel
plan may not be viable if, for instance, insufficient energy resources
are available to complete the plan. Alternatively, because travel plans
contain not only waypoints but also time spent at each waypoint, a plan
may no longer be viable if a user spends too much time at a single
destination. For example, assume a user is going to pick someone up at
the airport and is then stopping at a restaurant. In such a scenario, a
travel plan may include the waypoints "airport" and "restaurant," and
further include a duration of 60 minutes for the waypoint "airport." If
the user arrives at the airport and then, due to external circumstances
(e.g., the flight was delayed), stays at the airport for 7 hours, the
energy plan component 128 may determine that the previous plan is no
longer valid, since the actual time spent at the "airport" waypoint
greatly exceeded the planned duration. If the energy plan component 128
determines the previous mission is not viable, the component then
initiates a dialog with the user to determine the user's current travel
plan (at step 424). As discussed above, an exemplary dialog may be found
in Table 1.

[0043] If the previous mission is viable, the energy plan component 128
prompts the user to determine whether the user wishes to continue with
the previous travel plan, or if the user wishes to create a new travel
plan (at step 422). For instance, assume the travel plan includes the
waypoints "gym" and "home," and the user has driven to the gym and exited
the vehicle. When the user again enters the vehicle, the energy plan
component 128 may prompt the user as to whether the user wishes to
continue the previous travel plan and travel home. If the user indicates
that he does not wish to return to the previous mission, the energy plan
component 128 initiates a dialog with the user to determine the user's
current travel plan (at step 424). Once the current travel plan is
determined (at step 424), or if the user indicates that he wishes to
return to the previous mission (at step 422), the energy plan component
128 begins monitoring the user's progress towards the travel plan (at
step 426) and the method ends.

[0044]FIG. 5 is a method of determining an energy replenishment plan to
complete a travel plan, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. As shown, the method 500 begins at step 520, where the energy
plan component 128 determines a current travel plan. In one embodiment,
the energy plan component 128 uses method 300 to identify the current
travel plan. In another embodiment, the energy plan component 128 uses
method 400 to identify the current travel plan. Once the travel plan is
identified, the energy plan component 128 determines whether the vehicle
has sufficient energy resources to complete the travel plan (at step
522). The energy plan component 128 may calculate a total travel distance
to visit all the waypoints in the travel plan in the specified order. In
one embodiment, the component 128 makes this determination using the map
data 222 and the GPS application 224. The energy plan component 128 may
also determine a total travel distance from battery power using the
vehicle battery sensor 228. In some embodiments, the energy plan
component 128 may further determine a total travel distance from liquid
fuel sources (e.g., petroleum) using the liquid fuel-level sensor 230.
The energy plan component 128 may then compare the total travel distance
to visit all the waypoints with the total travel distance from battery
power (and in some embodiments, with the total travel distance from
liquid fuel sources as well), to determine if the vehicle has sufficient
energy resources to complete the current travel plan.

[0045] If the total travel distance from available energy sources exceeds
the total travel distance to visit all the waypoints in the travel plan,
then the energy plan component 128 may conclude that the vehicle has
sufficient resources, and enters a loop (steps 524, 526, 528) to monitor
the user's travel progress (at step 524). The energy plan component 128
may continue monitoring and determine whether the user has arrived at a
waypoint in the current travel plan (at step 526). If the user has
arrived at the waypoint, the method 500 ends. However, if the user has
not yet arrived at the waypoint, the energy plan component 128 determines
whether the user has deviated from the travel plan (at step 528). If the
user has not deviated from the travel plan, the energy plan component 128
continues the loop and returns to step 524, where it monitors the user's
progress. If the energy plan component 128 determines that the user has
deviated from the travel plan (at step 528), the energy plan component
prompts the user to modify the mission (at step 530). This may include
adding waypoints to or removing waypoints from the mission. In another
embodiment, the user may indicate he does not wish to change the travel
plan. The energy plan component 128 may then recalculate the travel
distance of the mission based on the user's new position. Once the
mission has been modified, the method begins again, with the energy plan
component 128 determining whether the vehicle has sufficient resources to
complete the mission (at step 522).

[0046] At step 522, if the energy plan component 128 determines that the
vehicle does not have sufficient resources to complete the travel plan,
the component 128 may construct an energy replenishment plan (at step
532). The energy replenishment plan may include one or more waypoints at
which the user may stop and recharge the vehicle in order to have enough
energy to complete the travel plan. Furthermore, the energy replenishment
plan may include a charging duration associated with each of the
waypoints in the plan. For example, the energy plan component 128 may
determine that a user only needs to recharge his vehicle for 30 minutes
at a particular location in order to complete the travel plan, and then
the vehicle can be fully charged at the final destination of the travel
plan (e.g., the user's home).

[0047] Furthermore, the energy replenishment plan may include certain
waypoints based on a user profile 226 for the user. In one embodiment,
the energy plan component 128 may select fueling waypoints that the user
has visited previously for the energy replenishment plan, based on the
user profile 226 for the user. In another embodiment, the user may
indicate preferred fueling waypoints in the user profile 226 for the
user. The energy plan component 128 may then construct the energy
replenishment plan while giving preference to the user's preferred
fueling waypoints specified in the user profile 226. In an alternate
embodiment, the user may indicate, in the user profile 226, certain
fueling waypoints that should never be included in the energy
replenishment plan, and the component 128 constructs the plan omitting
these waypoints. In yet another embodiment, the energy plan component 128
may determine a number of different options for potential refueling
waypoints, and then prompt the user (e.g., by using the microphone 234
and speakers 236 and/or display 124) to select refueling waypoints from
the list of available waypoints.

[0048] Once the energy replenishment plan is constructed (at step 532),
the energy plan component prompts the user to determine if any corrective
action is required for the energy replenishment plan (at step 534). For
example, at step 532, the energy plan component 128 may construct an
energy replenishment plan containing Recharging Station A, based on the
user's past preference for Recharging Station A. However, when prompted
(at step 534), the user may indicate that he wishes to alter the energy
replenishment plan, because he wants to try the newly-opened Recharging
Station B. Once the user has made any required changes to the energy
replenishment plan, the energy plan component 128 determines whether the
current travel plan is achievable using the updated energy replenishment
plan (at step 536). For instance, using the above example, if the energy
plan component 128 determines that the current travel plan is achievable
by recharging the vehicle for 90 minutes at Recharging Station B (as in
the energy replenishment plan), the energy plan component 128 may modify
the current travel plan to include Recharging Station B and may update
the order of the waypoints in the travel plan accordingly. Once the
current travel plan has been modified, the method then begins again at
step 522. An exemplary energy replenishment plan dialog is shown in Table
2.

TABLE-US-00002
TABLE 2
Exemplary Energy Replenishment Plan Dialog
Energy Plan So you are going to South Beach, then the Miami
Component: Airport, then returning home?
User: Yes.
Energy Plan Vehicle electrical power will not be sufficient for the total
Component: travel distance of 118 miles. There are no grid
connection services at your destinations. I can suggest
additional destinations along the way that offer grid
connection services. Would you like to hear these
alternatives?
User: Yes.
Energy Plan There is a Jolt and Volt coffee bar near South Beach
Component: that offers level 3 charging service. Thirty minutes of
connection time there will provide enough additional
power for you to complete your travel plans. Would you
like to stop at the Jolt and Volt, or hear additional
alternatives?
User: Stop at the Jolt and Volt.
Energy Plan Navigation routing has been updated to include a
Component: waypoint at the Jolt and Volt. Drive Safely.

[0049] However, if the current travel plans are not achievable, even with
the updated energy replenishment plan, then the energy plan component 128
prompts the user and cautions him to modify his current travel plans (at
step 538). For example, assume the user has indicated a travel plan of
driving from "home," to the "airport" and then "home" again. The energy
plan component 128 may determine (at step 532) that no recharging
stations are present between the waypoints of "home" and "airport." If
the component 128 then determines that the distance to complete the
travel plan exceeds the maximum distance based on the energy level of the
battery, then the component 128 may determine that the mission is not
achievable, even after calculating (in this case, an empty) energy
replenishment plan (at step 536). Thus, in this example, the energy plan
component 128 may warn the user that his current travel plan is
unachievable. In another embodiment, the energy plan component 128 may
advise the user that a range extender module may be used in order to
complete the travel plans. The energy plan component 128 may also
communicate to the user nearby locations at which a range extender module
may be obtained. Once the user is warned, the method ends.

[0050] In one embodiment, the energy plan component 128 may account for
real-time information when creating the energy replenishment plan.
Examples of such real-time information include weather information,
traffic conditions, accident information, road conditions, construction
information, and pricing differences between different recharging
stations. For example, the energy plan component 128 may determine that
there are two viable recharging stations for a given energy replenishment
plan, Recharging Station A and Recharging Station B. However, the energy
plan component 128 may determine that Recharging Station A charges 20%
less than Recharging Station B. In this case, the energy plan component
128 may create an energy replenishment plan using Recharging Station A,
based on the pricing differences between the two recharging stations. In
one embodiment, the user may designate a weight value in the user profile
for use in determining which recharging station to use in the energy
replenishment plan when the recharging stations have different prices.
For example, the user may designate a general preference for Recharging
Station B, but may indicate that other recharging stations may be
selected if they are at least 10% less expensive. In this case, the
energy plan component 128 may create an energy replenishment plan using
Recharging Station A from the above example, because Recharging Station A
is 20% less expensive than Recharging Station B, even though the user has
indicated a general preference for Recharging Station B.

[0051]FIG. 6 is a method of determining a charging schedule to optimize
recharging, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As
shown, the method 600 begins at step 620, where the energy plan component
128 creates an initial garaging plan. A garaging plan includes
information about how long the user plans to leave the car parked. In one
embodiment, the garaging plan includes information on when the user next
plans to use the vehicle, as well as the next travel plan for the user.
For example, an exemplary garaging plan may indicate the user is
remaining home for 3 hours, going to a restaurant at 9:00 pm, staying at
the restaurant for an hour, then returning home and remaining until going
to work the next morning at 8:00 am. The energy plan component 128 may
create the garaging plan based on the user profile 226 for the user. That
is, if the user repeatedly follows the same garaging routine on a
particular night of the week, when the user again parks the car on that
particular night of the week, the energy plan component 128 may create an
initial garaging plan based on the user's previous garaging routine.

[0052] Once the garaging plan has been created, the energy plan component
128 may confirm the initial garaging plan with the user (at step 622).
The energy plan component 128 may then communicate the initial garaging
plan to the user (e.g., using the speech synthesizer 240 and the speakers
236). The energy plan component 128 may also use I/O devices 124, such as
a display, to communicate the initial garaging plan to the user. After
suggesting the initial garaging plan to the user, the energy plan
component 128 may interactively determine an actual garaging plan with a
user (e.g., using the microphone 234 and speakers 236). For instance, if
a user wishes to delete a waypoint from the suggested garaging plan, the
user may communicate this to the energy plan component 128 via the
microphone 234. Likewise, the energy plan component 128 may then confirm
the deletion of the waypoint to the user through the vehicle speakers
236.

[0053] Once the garaging plan is completed, the energy plan component 128
may determine an optimal vehicle charging schedule based on the garaging
plan (at step 624). The optimal charging schedule is a plan to charge the
vehicle at least enough to perform the next travel plan for the user.
Furthermore, the energy plan component 128 may also take into account
external factors, such as off-peak power hours, when determining the
optimal charging schedule. For example, power consumption may be cheaper
during the off-peak hours of 1:00 am and 5:00 am. In this case, the
energy plan component 128 may create an optimal charging schedule that
defers charging the battery until 1:00 am. In some scenarios, the energy
plan component 128 may create an optimal charging schedule that partially
charges the battery in order to accommodate a future travel plan, but
defers fully charging the battery until off-peak hours. For example, a
user may arrive home at 6:00 pm and indicate that he is going to remain
at home for 3 hours, go out to a restaurant at 9:00 pm, stay for an hour,
then return home and remaining until going to work the next morning at
8:00 am. In this case, the energy plan component 128 may create an
optimal charging schedule that charges the battery only enough for the
user to drive to the restaurant at 9:00 pm and then drive home. The
optimal charging schedule may then defer fully charging the battery until
after 1:00 am, in order to take advantage of the off-peak hours. Table 3
shows an exemplary dialog for creating the garaging plan.

TABLE-US-00003
TABLE 3
Exemplary Dialog
Energy Plan You are nearing home. Do you plan to use the vehicle
Component: further before tomorrow morning?
User: Yes.
Energy Plan How far do you plan to travel this evening?
Component:
User: 20 miles.
Energy Plan How long will you be home before leaving again?
Component:
User: Two hours.
Energy Plan Please connect the vehicle to the charging station when
Component: you get home. Charging will begin immediately. Your
vehicle will require 75 minutes of charging time to
accommodate your plans this evening.

[0054] Once the energy plan component 128 creates the optimal charging
schedule, the energy plan component 128 sends the optimal charging
schedule to a charge controller (at step 626). The charge controller then
recharges the vehicle's battery according to the optimal charging
schedule. Once the optimal charging schedule has been downloaded by the
charge controller, the method ends.

[0055] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the
architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of
systems, methods and computer program products according to various
embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the
flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion
of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for
implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted
that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the
block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two
blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially
concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse
order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and
combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based
systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of
special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0056] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present
invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised
without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is
determined by the claims that follow.

Patent applications by Steven M. Hancock, Delray Beach, FL US

Patent applications by International Business Machines Corporation

Patent applications in class Determination of travel data based on the start point and destination point

Patent applications in all subclasses Determination of travel data based on the start point and destination point